Florida Panthers: Tanguay Reportedly To Join Lightning

Well, it's looked for a while like the Panthers wouldn't get winger Alex Tanguay, even though we didn't know where the free agent would choose to go.

What hurts the Panthers more: It looks like Tanguay is headed for their cross-state rival Lightning.

French-language station RDS is reporting that the Lightning have agreed to terms with Tanguay, who will sign a contract pending a physical. Top-notch Tampa Tribune beat guy Erik Erlendsson confirms this is in fact true.

Apparently, Tanguay has been negotiating with the Lightning since July -- the Panthers were one of the handful of other teams his agent, Robert Sauve, had said he was interested in --- but Tanguay's interest really spiked when Vincent Lecavalier and Martin St. Louis contacted him about two weeks ago.

That's star power the Panthers don't have to lure free agents. While the Panthers made minor moves this offseason, the other teams in their division have done more. Making the playoffs has become even tougher for Florida.